Presidency Rejects El-Rufai’s Claim, Affirms Tinubu Won’t Seek Office Beyond 2031

The Presidency has dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aiming to become a “life president,” asserting that the President has no plans to remain in office beyond 2031 if re-elected.

Over the weekend, El-Rufai called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to mobilise Nigerians against Tinubu in 2027, accusing the current administration of centralising power rather than devolving it.

“If we don’t come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya, to be president for life. All the signs are there, this is how Paul Biya started,” El-Rufai said.

Responding in a statement on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga described the claims as “unfounded claims and speculations.”

“It is increasingly evident that El-Rufai has recognised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent President Tinubu’s likely re-election in 2027. This plot is proving to be unattainable, a mission doomed to fail,” Onanuga said.

The spokesperson highlighted Tinubu’s continued popularity, particularly in the North, citing the reception he received in Kaduna last Friday.

Onanuga also countered El-Rufai’s suggestion that the President intends to become a “life president,” saying, “This stands in stark contrast to El-Rufai’s narrative that the region has abandoned the President.”

The Presidency labelled the notion of tenure elongation as “baseless and absurd,” stressing, “President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.”

Onanuga added, “Governor Uba Sani might need to reach out to his predecessor, as El-Rufai could benefit from some professional counselling to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”